The effects of estrous cow serum on the in vitro maturation and fertilization of the bovine follicular oocyte

The effect of serum obtained from a cow at the time of standing estrus (serum A), at ovulation (serum B), and at 24 h after ovulation (serum C) on the in vitro maturation and fertilization of bovine oocytes was examined. Of 144 (Group A), 159 (Group B), and 158 (Group C) oocytes, 77 (53.4%), 82 (51.6%) and 82 (51.9%) oocytes were characterized by expansion of cumulus cells, respectively. There was no significant difference in the effect of the three types of cow serum on the cumulus expansion (P < 0.05). Of 461 oocytes, 316 oocytes were cultured with sperm for fertilization, and 145 oocytes were cultured without sperm for evidence of parthenogenetic development. Of 56 (Group A), 56 (Group B), and 62 (Group C) oocytes with expanded cumulus cells, 19 (33.9%), 7 (12.5%), and 11 (17.7%) oocytes were cleaved, respectively, after exposed to the sperm for 24 h. There was a significant difference in the effect of the three types of cow serum on the fertilization rate (P < 0.05). A total of 145 oocytes was cultured in the absence of sperm and no evidence of parthenogenetic division was observed. The effect of the three types of serum obtained from the cow on the maturation of oocytes was not significant, but a significant difference did exist in the fertilization rate of oocytes. Cow serum obtained at the time of standing estrus had a beneficial effect on the fertilization rate of oocytes in vitro.     

Cytoplasmic maturation for activation of pig follicular oocytes cultured and arrested at metaphase I.

A large population (62-90%) of pig follicular oocytes can mature to metaphase II after culture for 48 h. However, a proportion (6-22%) remain in an immature stage at metaphase I (metaphase I-arrested). The main objective of this study was to determine whether the cytoplasm of metaphase I-arrested pig oocytes is capable of being activated by sperm penetration or parthenogenetic stimulation. After culture for 48 h, oocytes without a polar body (73% were shown to be at metaphase I after staining) and those with a polar body (94% were at metaphase II) were fertilized in vitro. A total of 69% and 62% of the oocytes were activated to form a female pronucleus, respectively, and the rate of polar body extrusion induced by fertilization in the activated oocytes was 90% (the first polar body) and 95% (the second polar body), respectively. When oocytes without and with a polar body were stimulated with an electric pulse, 53% and 81% of the oocytes were activated, respectively. The rate of polar body extrusion in the activated oocytes was 73% (the first polar body) and 79% (the second polar body), respectively. In contrast, young metaphase I oocytes cultured for 24 h had low (6%) or zero activation rate after in vitro fertilization or electric pulse stimulation. However, about one-third of the young metaphase I oocytes penetrated by spermatozoa after in vitro fertilization responded to electric pulse 12 h after insemination, and almost all (93%) were activated when they were stimulated 24 h after insemination. Patterns of polypeptide synthesis and histone H1 kinase activity were similar in metaphase I-arrested and metaphase II oocytes, and were characterized by increase in a 25 kDa polypeptide and by decrease in kinase activity. Although the first step of meiotic division is impaired, these results indicate that metaphase I-arrested oocytes are mature cytoplasmically.     

Fine structural and cytochemical analysis of the processes of cell death of oocytes in atretic follicles in new born and prepubertal rats

The process of cell death of oocytes was studied in atretic ovarian follicles of rats aged from 1 to 28 days using light and electron microscope and cytochemical methods. These methods were TUNEL procedure for DNA breaks, active caspase-3 and lysosome-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP-1) immunolocalizations. The structural features of the process of oocyte death are mainly characterized by the presence of abundant clear vacuoles and autophagosomes, as well as by the absence of large clumps of compact chromatin associated to the nuclear envelope and apoptotic bodies. These features are common to oocytes in all types of follicles studied. Cytochemical features consisting in positive reactions to TUNEL method, active caspase-3 and LAMP-1 immunolocalizations, are common to the cell death of oocytes in all types of follicles. Particular features of the process of cell death of oocytes are found in different types of follicles. Two morphological patterns of cell death occur in pre-follicular oocytes of the new born and in primordial follicles in 1 to 5 days old rats. One is distinguished by clear nucleoli and moderate compaction of chromatin in clumps frequently resembling meiotic bivalents. The second pattern is characterized by nucleolar condensation and by the absence of compact chromatin. The process of cell death of oocytes in antral follicles is characterized by ribonucleoprotein ribbon-like cytoplasmic structures, pseudo-segmentation, and loss of contact with granulosa cells.     

Character of preovulatory follicles and oocytes after different superovulatory treatments in heifers

The relationship between the opaqueness of the surface of bovine preovulatory follicles, degree of expansion of oocyte-cumulus investment, presence of perivitelline space, and abstriction of the first polar body was examined in heifers treated with PMSG (Group I), FSH-P (Group II), and FSH-P/GnRH (Group III). Follicles greater than 8 mm in diameter were inspected by laparoscopy 65 hours after treatment with cloprostenol in all groups and were classified as clear or opaque based on their surface appearance. Subsequently, oocytes were recovered from the follicles and characterized. The proportion of clear exceeded that of opaque follicles in all groups. The oocyte recovery rate was highest for clear follicles in Group I and II, while in Group III the rates were identical for clear and opaque follicles. The proportion of oocytes with expanded cumulus investment was highest in Group III. In Group II and I decreased proportions of expansion was seen especially among oocytes from opaque follicles. The proportion of oocytes with perivitelline space was highest in Group II and III. Again, this effect was most pronounced among oocytes from "opaque" follicles. The proportion of oocytes with a polar body was highest in Group III followed by Group II while only few oocytes in Group I displayed a polar body. It is concluded that treatment with FSH-P and especially in combination with GnRH reduced the incidence of follicular atresia as measured by opaqueness and improved oocyte quality as indicated by cumulus expansion, formation of the perivitelline space, and abstriction of the first polar body.     

Developmental potential of oocytes fertilized by conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) after cryopreservation and mesometrial autotransplantation of rabbit ovarian tissue

Objective: To evaluate mesometrial transplantation of frozen-thawed ovarian tissue in rabbit and to choose the optimized fertilization method for oocytes retrieved from grafts by investigating the capability of oocyte fertilization and further development. Forty rabbits were divided into three groups randomly: control group, fresh tissues transplantation group and frozen-thawed tissues transplantation group. Three months after the transplantation, rabbits were stimulated with FSH and oocytes were retrieved 13 h after human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) injection. Oocytes matured in vivo or in vitro were then fertilized by conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI), followed by observation and evaluation of fertilization rate and blastocyst formation rate. Blastocytes embryos were transferred to pseudopregnancy rabbits to observe pregnancy rate and birth rate. There were no significant differences in the percentage of oocytes matured either in vivo or in vitro among the three groups. The fertilization rate, cleavage rate and blastocyst formation rate of in vivo-matured oocytes had no difference among the three groups, whether they were fertilized by IVF or ICSI. Significantly higher fertilization rates of in vitro-matured oocytes were observed with ICSI compared with IVF in each group. The blastocyst formation rate of in vitro-matured oocytes was significantly lower than that of in vivo-matured oocytes in each group. The birth rate of in vivo-matured oocytes was significantly higher than that of in vitro-matured oocytes, although the pregnancy rate was similar between them. Mesometrial transplantation of frozen-thawed ovarian tissue may provide favorable conditions for follicle development. Oocytes retrieved from mesometrial grafts can develop to the blastocyst stage and produce live offspring. ICSI can optimize the fertilization rate of in vitro-matured oocytes retrieved from grafts.     

玻璃化冷冻对猪体外成熟卵母细胞染色体与纺锤体的影响

以冷冻环为载体,探讨玻璃化冷冻对猪体外成熟卵母细胞染色体与纺锤体影响。单用40%乙二醇(ethyleneglycol,EG)或20%EG与20%二甲基亚砜(dimethylsulphoxide,DMSO)联合作冷冻保护剂,用直投液氮或使用玻璃化冷冻仪法制冷冷冻猪体外成熟卵母细胞;解冻2h后固定并免疫荧光法染色纺锤体及染色体;挑选各试验组形态正常卵母细胞进行体外受精实验。结果表明,与单用EG以及EG和DMSO联合直投液氮方案比较,EG和DMSO联合应用并采用玻璃化冷冻仪制冷方案卵母细胞染色体正常率为30.1%,纺锤体正常率为37.2%,可明显降低卵母细胞染色体及纺锤体结构损伤(P<0.05),并明显提高卵母细胞的激活效果(P<0.05)。采用联合冷冻保护剂及玻璃化冷冻仪高速冷冻可较好维持猪卵母细胞染色体与纺锤体形态,但玻璃化冷冻明显影响猪卵母细胞体外受精后的发育能力。     

微流控芯片用于卵母细胞冷冻保存的实验研究

低温保存对卵母细胞造成渗透损伤、毒性损伤和冰晶损伤,使得细胞冻后质量难以提高.本文首次提出将微流控法添加-去除保护剂分别与三种冷冻载体(OPS、QC及Cryotop)搭配使用,对猪卵母细胞进行冷冻保存,并与传统冷冻法进行比较;然后,首次选用透明陶瓷和玻璃制作集成一体化芯片,对猪卵母细胞进行冷冻保存,以冷冻保存后的细胞存活率和发育率为判断依据,筛选出较好的方案;最后,对冻后卵母细胞的早期凋亡情况、胞内活性氧水平和线粒体膜电位水平进行分析.结果表明,微流控添加-去除保护剂组卵母细胞冻后存活率以及卵裂率都显著高于传统冷冻组,可以有效降低卵母细胞的早期凋亡率和胞内活性氧水平,减小线粒体损伤,提高细胞的冻后质量.透明陶瓷一体化芯片保存卵母细胞得到的存活率和卵裂率与传统OPS冷冻的保存结果无显著差异.微流控芯片技术为卵母细胞的低温保存提供新的思路,有较好的应用前景.     

小鼠卵母细胞体外成熟、体外受精的效果观察

目的　研究不同培养条件对小鼠卵母细胞体外成熟及体外受精率的影响。方法　小鼠卵母细胞分别在含有FSH、BSA和胰岛素的培养液中体外成熟,在Whitten 氏液中体外受精,比较体外成熟率、体外受精率。结果　1- 裸卵(DO) 的体外成熟率、体外受精率(81-4% ,31-0 % ) 均高于卵丘卵母细胞复合体(COC)(48-6 % ,27-1% ) 。2- 在培养液中添加FSH、胰岛素和BSA,卵母细胞的体外成熟率为77-9 % ,82-3% 、60-7% ;体外受精率为77-2 % 、72-6 % 、26-7% ;2 - 细胞率为49-2 % 、34-2 % 、10-0% 。胰岛素组的卵母细胞IVM 率最高,但IVF率、2 - 细胞率低于FSH 组。3- 添加BSA的两组的体外受精率只有26-7 % 、25-8 % ,显著低于其他组,其体外成熟率也较添加FSH 和胰岛素的组成。4- 排出第一极体(PbI) 的卵母细胞的体外受精率和2 - 细胞率(85-9 % ,22-4% ) 均高于GV期卵母细胞(71-1 % ,12-9 % ) 。结论　1- 卵丘卵母细胞(COC) 较裸卵(DO) 的体外成熟率、体外受精率都低,差异显著(P成熟< 0-01;P受精< 0-05) 。2-FSH 和胰岛素均能提高小鼠卵母细胞的体外成熟率、体外受精率。3-BSA可以降低小鼠卵母细胞体外受精率,差异极显著。4-GV 期卵母细胞的体外受精率显著低于体外培养的排出第一极体的卵母细胞(P2 - cell < 0-05,P受精<0-05)     

6—DMAP和胚胎干细胞代数对异种重构卵体外发育的影响（简报）

The development of reconstructed oocytes and the survival rate of cloned animal were affected by many factors during nuclear transfer. The genetic constitution and the genetic state of donor nucleus were proposed to be primary factors, which affected the survival rate of cloned animal. In addition, the survival rate of cloned animal might be influenced by nuclear transfer technique itself and passages of donor cells as well as the activation methods of oocytes. We reconstructed oocytes with outbreeding Kunming albino mouse ES cells and enucleated rabbit oocytes, and analyzed the effects of the passages of ES cells and 6-DMAP on the development of interspecific reconstructed oocytes. The interspecific reconstructed ES-rabbit oocytes were activated either by combined two set electric pulses and 6-DMAP or by two set electric pulses alone. The rate of cleavage was significantly higher for the group (86.2%) treated with 6-DMAP than the group (64.2%, P < 0.05) treated with electric pulses only, and the rate of blastocysts was 17.0% and 13.4% respectively, which were not significantly different between two groups. When ES cells that had been passed for 24 and 14 generations were used as donors, the cleavage rates of the reconstructed oocytes were 88.5% and 82.1%, respectively (P > 0.05), and the rates of blastolation were 16.7% and 15.4%, respectively (P > 0.05). The results show that 6-DMAP increases the cleavage rate of reconstructed oocytes derived from ES cells, and affects slightly the developmental rate of blastocysts. There are no differences when high passage and low passage ES cells are used as nuclear donors.     

Surface alterations of the bovine oocyte and its investments during and after maturation and fertilization in vitro

Surface characteristics of the bovine oocyte and its investments before, during, and after maturation, and fertilization in vitro were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Oocyte diameters were also measured during SEM analysis of the oocyte. The cumulus cells manifested a compact structure with minimal intercellular spaces among them in the immature oocytes. These became fully expanded with increased intercellular spaces after maturation in vitro, but contracted again after fertilization. The zona pellucida (ZP) showed a fibrous, open mesh-like structure in the maturing and matured oocytes. The size and number of meshes on the ZP decreased dramatically after fertilization. The vitelline surface of immature oocytes was characterized by distribution of tongue-shaped protrusions (TSPs) varying in density. After 10 and 22 hr of maturation incubation, oocyte surface microvilli (MV) increased to become the predominant surface structure, and TSPs decreased substantially. The vitelline surface of fertilized oocytes (at 6 and 20 hr) was similar to that of the matured oocytes, but unfertilized oocytes had less dense MV than did fertilized oocytes (at 20 hr). The diameter of the oocytes decreased from 99 to 80 μm during maturation and increased to 106 μm after insemination (P < 0.05). Membrane maturation was characterized by surface changes from a TSP-predominant pattern to a MV-predominant pattern. Thus, the bovine oocyte maturation process was found to involve the expansion of cumulus cells and the maturation of the ZP, which changes dramatically upon fertilization. Also, volumetric changes occurred in ooplasm processed for SEM following oocyte maturation and insemination. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Cytogenetic investigation of somatic cells and morphofunctional characteristics of oocytes in women with reproductive function disorder

Results of cytogenetic investigation of the rate and the types of chromosome aberrations in lymphocytes of peripheric blood in 31 infertile women are presented. The high frequency of karyotype abnormalities (16.4%) has been shown in the studied group. Morphofunctional characteristics of the oocytes of the women with normal and abnormal karyotypes have been compared. Oocytes of the patients with chromosome abnormalities were characterized by reduced ability to fertilization and further development.     

Effect of co-culture with theca interna on nuclear maturation of horse oocytes with low meiotic competence,and subsequent fusion and activation rates after nuclear transfer

We conducted this study to examine whether or not co-culture with theca cells improves the maturation rate of horse oocytes with compact cumuli and to evaluate the cytoplasmic competence of oocytes after maturation by assessing fusion, activation and cleavage rates after nuclear transfer. We collected oocytes by scraping follicles from slaughterhouse-derived ovaries and classified them as having an expanded or a compact cumulus. Expanded oocytes were matured in M199 supplemented with 10% FBS and 5 microU/ml FSH for 24 h: compact oocytes were cultured in the same medium, or they were co-cultured in the same medium with theca interna explants, for 24 or 42 h. Oocytes were held with or without 10 microg/ml cytochalasin B, before washing and micromanipulation. and they were fused with donor fibroblasts by electrical pulse. Fused oocytes were activated with Ca ionophore/cycloheximide, cultured for 5 days, and stained with Hoechst to assess nuclear development. We considered oocytes with an enlarged nucleus, or having cleavage with multiple nuclei, to be activated. There was no significant difference in overall maturation rate between compact oocytes cultured with theca and compact controls. When these two groups were combined, there was a significant increase in the proportion of oocytes in MII between 24 and 42 h (P < 0.05). Expanded oocytes had a significantly higher rate of maturation than did compact oocytes (64% versus 25-30%; P < 0.001). There were no significant differences in rates of successful enucleation, fusion, activation or cleavage between compact control and compact + theca oocytes, nor between compact and expanded oocytes; however, expanded oocytes treated with cytochalasin B had a significantly higher survival rate after enucleation than did untreated expanded oocytes (P < 0.05). Three embryos developed from recombined oocytes, with maximum cleavage to 10 cells. The results of this study indicate that co-culture with theca cells does not increase either nuclear or cytoplasmic maturation of compact oocytes. Cytochalasin B is helpful in increasing survival of horse oocytes during enucleation. In vitro matured equine oocytes have the potential to develop into embryos after nuclear transfer; this is the first full report of production of cloned embryos in this species.     

Time-dependent effects of heat shock on the zona pellucida ultrastructure and in vitro developmental competence of bovine oocytes

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different exposure lenght to heat shock (HS) during in vitro maturation (IVM) on zona pellucida (ZP) ultrastructure and developmental competence of bovine oocytes. Cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) were matured in vitro (IVM) at 38.5 °C for 24 h (control group, CG), or incubated at 41 °C (HS) for 6 h (HS-6h), 12 h (HS-12h), 18 h (HS-18h), and 22h (HS-22h) followed by incubation at 38.5 °C to complete a full 24-h period of maturation. After IVM, oocytes were subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) or in vitro fertilization and culture until the blastocyst stage. For heat-shocked oocytes, with exception of those in the HS-6h group, SEM examinations revealed that ZP surfaces were rough and characterized by a presence of spongy network. Oocytes from the HS-22h group displayed an increase in the number of pores, as well as a higher proportion of oocytes with amorphous ZPs. The proportion of oocytes that reached metaphase II (MII) stage decreased in all HS groups, regardless of the duration of exposure to 41 °C. These results provide evidence that HS during IVM for 12–22 h reduces the developmental competence of bovine oocytes, increasing the percentage of oocytes with abnormal chromosomal organization, and reducing fertilization and blastocysts formation rate. The effects of HS were more pronounced for the 22-h exposure group. The damage induced by HS on oocyte function clearly increased upon exposure to elevated temperature.     

激光打孔技术在小鼠卵子冷冻保存上的运用

目的比较卵子冷冻复苏后、以及复苏卵子经过激光打孔后,与新鲜精子、冷冻复苏精子体外受精,受精率的变化。方法 （1）通过免疫荧光染色技术,判断卵子冷冻前后透明带糖蛋白-2、微丝以及细胞核的变化;（2）冷冻C57BL/6J小鼠卵子,复苏后一部分卵子打孔,一部分不打孔,然后与9个品系的新鲜精子和冷冻精子体外受精,比较各组受精率的变化。结果 （1）新鲜卵子组透明带糖蛋白-2、微丝及细胞核结构清晰,而冷冻组以及冷冻剂处理组,微丝结构略有变化,透明带糖蛋白-2受到不同程度的损伤,而细胞核在冷冻前后无明显变化;（2）9个品系的新鲜精子与C57BL/6J复苏卵子受精率为17.6%～42.9%,平均为29.6%;新鲜精子与复苏打孔卵子受精率为29.1%～72.3%,平均为49.7%,差异显著（P〈0.05）;9个品系复苏精子与复苏卵子体外受精率为5.4%～23%,平均为15.5%;复苏精子与复苏打孔卵子受精率为16.7%～48.6%,平均为28.8%,差异显著（P〈0.05）。结论 （1）冷冻对卵子的透明带糖蛋白-2有较大的损伤,对微丝有一定的影响,但是对染色体没有影响;（2）冷冻卵子复苏后,体外受精率下降明显,但是复苏卵子经过激光打孔后,可以显著提高体外受精率。     

Translation and characterization of the fatty acid synthetase messenger RNA

Fatty acid synthetase messenger RNA was obtained from rat liver polysomal RNA and then injected into Xenopus laevis oocytes. The radioactive fatty acid synthetase protein synthesized in the oocytes was identified by immunoprecipitation with anti-fatty acid synthetase antibody and the immunoprecipitate was then characterized by electrophoresis on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel. Co-migration of authentic fatty acid synthetase and the labeled product synthesized in oocytes was observed. Based on sucrose density gradient analysis, the rat liver fatty acid synthetase mRNA has a sedimentation coefficient of approximately 33 S, which agrees with the predicted minimum size necessary to code for the fatty acid synthetase protein. In addition, this mRNA was partially purified with oligo(dT)-cellulose, which indicates that it has a polyadenylate region. The relative in vivo rate of synthesis of fatty acid synthetase and the level of fatty acid synthetase mRNA in liver were also determined during the course of dietary induction of this enzyme. The results indicate that the dietary-induced increase in the level of fatty acid synthetase is probably due to an increased level of the fatty acid synthetase mRNA.     

Formation of the cortical reaction in the process of oocyte maturation in the starred sturgeon]

The chronology of maturation process and cortical reaction development was studied in the Volga sevryuga oocytes. The germinal vesicle breakdown was first noted at 14 tau 0 following the injection of hypophysial suspension to the female and observed in the vast majority of oocytes at 17 tau 0; different phases of the I maturation division were found at 21 to 25 tau 0 and metaphase II at 33 tau 0. The ability to respond by cortical reaction to the activating stimulus (glass needle pricking) was first observed at 17 tau 0, i.e. soon after the germinal vesicle breakdown, but the appearance of the ability for cortical reaction was not connected causatively with the latter process. The cortical reaction in the maturing oocytes (17 to 25 tau 0) is characterized by the following features: in some oocytes the rate of the wave of granule breakdown is much lower than in the mature eggs; in ca. 80% of oocytes with the normal rate of cortical reaction the process of release of the contents of cortical granules in inhibited in the animal pole region and accordingly the contact of cytoplasm with the membranes is preserved in this region for a long time.     

Improvement of fertilizing performance by normal and abnormal mouse semen after zona opening of mature oocytes.

The usefulness of opening the zona pellucida by partial zona dissection (PZD) to enhance fertilization of mature mouse oocytes was studied after insemination with three types of semen: normal and diluted semen and semen from long-term-vasectomized males. Zona opening did not by itself induce parthenogenetic cleavage of mature oocytes and did not significantly increase mono- and polyspermic fertilization of oocytes inseminated with normal semen. While a fertilization rate of 62% was obtained among intact oocytes, of which 4.5% were polyspermic, a 66.8% fertilization rate was observed among PZD oocytes, 6.3% of which were polyspermic. However, after using diluted semen, only 54 of 193 intact oocytes were fertilized (28%), and PZD improved the fertilization rate to 65.4%. Cleavage rate of nonmanipulated oocytes inseminated with abnormal semen from vasectomized males was dramatically decreased in comparison with those inseminated with normal semen (7.6% vs. 65%). PZD induced a moderate but significant improvement of fertilization performance when using this abnormal semen (19.6%).     

Electron probe microanalysis of potassium and phosphorus in mouse oocytes and zygotes

Intracellular concentrations of potassium and phosphorus were determined by Electron Probe Microanalysis in mouse mature oocytes and zygotes. The oocytes were characterized by insignificant variations in the concentrations of these elements in the cytoplasm: 60 +/- 4 and 103 +/- 6 mM, respectively. In zygotes, on the contrary, significant variations were observed: 64 +/- 16 and 84 +/- 14 mM, respectively. Changes in the potassium homeostasis during the first cell cycle have been discussed.     

Collection of oocytes through transvaginal ultrasound-guided aspiration of follicles in an Indian breed of cattle

The present study was undertaken in Karan Fries, an Indian breed of cattle to (1) determine the number of follicles available for puncture and (2) explore the potential of this breed as a donor of developmentally competent oocytes. Ovum pick-up (OPU) was performed using an ultrasound machine with a transvaginal convex transducer (5 MHz) with a needle guide, single lumen 19-gauge 60 cm long needle and a vacuum pressure of 90 mmHg. The number and size of follicles in each ovary was determined before puncture. The follicles were characterized on the basis of their diameter as small (3-5 mm), medium (6-9 mm) and large (>/=10 mm). The oocytes recovered were classified by quality. They were matured in vitro, irrespective of their grade, in 50 microl droplets of the in vitro maturation (IVM) medium (TCM-199+10% fetal bovine serum(FBS)+5 microg/ml follicle stimulating hormone (folltropin)+1 microg/ml estradiol-17beta+0.2 mM sodium pyruvate), covered with paraffin oil, in 35 mm petridish for 24 h in a CO(2) incubator (5% CO(2) in air) at 38.5 degrees C. The cleavage rate was recorded at day 2 post-insemination after subjecting the oocytes to in vitro fertilization (IVF). The differences in follicular populations of all size categories among individual donors were not significant. A total of 92 oocytes were recovered by aspiration of 157 follicles, with an overall recovery rate of 59% (range 35-79%). Of these, 32% were of grades A and B and the rest of grades C and D. The mean numbers of total follicles and the oocytes recovered per session did not differ significantly among individual donors. Out of the 73 oocytes subjected to IVM and IVF, 24 reached 2-4 cell stage at day 2 post-fertilization, with a cleavage rate of 33%. The total number of oocytes recovered was correlated with the number of small (R=0.54, P<0.01) but not with the number of medium and large follicles. This study demonstrates the use of OPU as a means of obtaining developmentally competent oocytes from an Indian breed of cattle for obtaining cattle oocytes in India where cow slaughter is not allowed for religious reasons.